Conservation assessment and action on Lotus sanguineus (Fabaceae), a critically endangered species endemic to Turkey

Povzetek

Lotus sanguineus is one of the endemic taxa from Turkey in the Mediterranean Regions. It has hitherto been known from type locality and was assessed under VU and EN categories despite the lack of information population size, location number and habitat quality. This study aims to determine the global conservation status and conservation strategies of the narrow endemic species. We collected all available data and evaluated them with the field studies. We reported the sizes of populations, altitude, coordinates, habitat types and the threats it faces for each locality. GeoCAT analyses at global levels indicate extent of occurrence 19.965 km² and area of occupancy 9 km² and there could be an inferred decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation of the original population, suggesting this species might be classified as Critically Endangered, based on criterium B1ab (i, ii, iii) + 2ab (i, ii, iii) in the Red List categorization. Conservation priorities identified include life history and ecology studies, in-situ conservation, population monitoring and ex-situ conservation to prevent the destruction of the existing gene pool.